The Story of Soil

Soil is an amazing substance. It is a complex mix of ingredients: minerals, air, water, and organic matter—the countless micro-organisms and the decaying remains of once living things. Soil is made of life and soil makes life.

To the farmer, soil is where crops grow.

To the engineer, soil is a foundation to build.

To the ecologist, soil supports and connects ecosystems.

To the archaeologist, soil holds clues to past cultures.

To craftspeople, like potters, soil provides clay to make things.

To the soil scientist, soil is all of these things. 

Water

Food, feed and fodder quality

Human and livestock health

Soil has been called "the skin of the earth" because it is the thin outermost layer of the Earth's crust.

Like our own skin, we can't live without soil. It's easy to take soil for granted, yet it's one of the most important resources we have. That's why we want to spread the word about The Story of Soil - and you can help! 

Courtesy of Soil Science Society of America in their 75th Anniversary